Frontlines: The Latest from OutServe-SLDN
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” 15 Years Later
Fifteen years ago, when President Clinton's promise to lift the ban against gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals serving in the military was still alive, I attended the Human Rights March in Washington D.C. Service members, dressed in uniform, led the march and afterward stood at attention on the stage in front of almost 1,000,000 people as their pictures were flashed on the screen and they were identified by their name and rank. While by itself the scene was powerful, their courage was made even more evident by the presence of Adam Schindler's mother and the story she told. Adam Schindler was a sailor who had been beaten to death by shipmates when they discovered he was gay. Six months later, Congress passed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and in so doing explicitly sanctioned intolerance and bigotry. ...Read More
11-30-08 By Jackie Gardina, SLDN Board Member | Comment (0)
“Cradle of Liberty” Provides Hope for “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Repeal
On Friday, November 21, I ventured to Boston to participate in a tribute to the Massachusetts legal community and its efforts to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT), sponsored by SLDN and Boston College Law School Lambda and the Coalition for Equality. The "Cradle of Liberty" seemed an apt place to host such a gathering for people fighting for civil rights and justice. It was my first trip to Beantown, and I had time last Saturday to walk the Freedom Trail and check out the historic old haunts of Samuel Adams and Benjamin Franklin; to see the Old State House where the Declaration of Independence was first read from the balcony overlooking the site of the Boston Massacre; to admire the "new" State House built on what had been John Hancock's land where Samuel Adams and Paul Revere set the keystone in 1795, and glance at the Old South Meeting House where colonists gathered before the Boston Tea Party. ...Read More
11-28-08 By Dave Stalling | Comment (0)
Honoring the Life of Leonard Matlovich
Recently a small but powerful group of people met in the Ceremonial Room of the San Francisco LGBT Community Center to honor the life of Sergeant Leonard Matlovich and to dedicate a plaque to be installed in his honor at Castro and 18th Streets in San Francisco. The dedication was organized by Michael Bedwell, a close friend and former roommate of Leonard's. Michael brought together both old friends of Leonard's and those of us who - while we did not share the gift of knowing Leonard personally - were deeply touched by his life. ...Read More
11-26-08 By Jo Hoenninger | Comment (0)
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”: Getting Repeal Right This Time
In 1992 then president-elect Bill Clinton announced that he was going to issue unilaterally an executive order that would end discrimination against gays and lesbians in the military. Big, big mistake. Although the LGBT community cheered, we were in the minority. The bigots and the hysterics made a louder noise, drowning out the measured voice of reason. When Clinton came into office, he was opposed on this issue by the Joint Chiefs, including its chairman Colin Powell, by many in Congress, and, according to an ABC News - Washington Post poll of May 1993, by 55 percent of the American people. Of course, the Right exploited the issue and it took months for the brouhaha to die down. During those months Clinton saw a lot of his political capital evaporate. ...Read More
11-24-08 By Aubrey Sarvis, SLDN Executive Director | Comment (2)
Honoring Every Veteran – Dallas Style
For the first time, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network recently took its effort to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to Texas. Here SLDN hosted events, in addition to meeting with local leaders and state supporters to build upon growing support to lift the ban and honor all those who have risked their life to defend our nation. Now is the time for all our veterans to stand up, be proud of who they are and be an example of service to others. ...Read More
11-20-08 By Dave Gainer, Member, SLDN Board of Directors | Comment (0)
A Question of Justice
A recent story in The New York Times discusses a case before the U.S. Supreme Court that not only sparked a round of hypothetical questions but underscored why the time for repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” as a discriminatory law is now. ...Read More
11-17-08 By Emily B. Hecht and Aaron Tax, SLDN Managing Attorneys | Comment (0)
Everyone Should Have the Right to Serve Country
The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law makes no sense, harms individuals, hurts military readiness and undermines the freedom and fairness our country stands for. The time for repeal is now! On this Veterans Day, let's begin to appreciate, respect and honor all of our veterans. ...Read More
11-11-08 By Tim Stalling, SLDN Supporter | Comment (0)
Keeping the Faith
As I reflect upon the contributions of our men and women in uniform this Veterans Day, I think of the 1 million gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender veterans who have served. And I also think of those dedicated, experienced, battle-hardened warriors who are thrown out of the military simply because of their sexual orientation. ...Read More
11-07-08 By Paula Neira, SLDN Board of Directors | Comment (0)
A Mom’s Perspective on Vets Day
As we approach Veterans Day on Tuesday, we will honor our brave vets by sharing the personal views of those who served in silence because of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and their loved ones. These testimonies show the human face of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” – and serve as poignant reminders that until this law is overturned, our nation will not truly give all our patriots the honor and respect they deserve this Veterans Day. We begin our series with the story of Nancy Manzella – mother of former Army Sergeant Darren Manzella, who was discharged under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Darren’s sacrifice and courage in the face of injustice provides hope for a future in which all Americans can serve their country free from the chains of intolerance and discrimination. ...Read More
11-06-08 By Nancy Manzella | Comment (0)
